OROVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
COUNSELING NEWSLETTER FOR SENIORS
November/December, 2006 Volume 2
I. FINANCIAL AID FORMS
II. DEADLINE DATES FOR PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED SCHOLARSHIPS AND
AWARDS
III. NEW SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARD ANNOUNCEMENTS
IV. DATES TO REMEMBER
V. FINANCIAL AID PARENT/GUARDIAN/STUDENT INFORMATION NIGHT
VI. LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
VII. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
VIII. ADULT NIGHT SCHOOL
IX. UPCOMING EVENTS
Who should complete the two Financial Aid Forms (FAFSA and GPA Verification Form)?
A. Any Senior planning on attending a 4-year College or University, a 2-year Community
College or a Trade or Vocational School should apply.
B. The California Student Aid Commission which processes applications for financial
aid is encouraging all high school seniors in California to complete the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Grade Point Average (GPA)
Verification form. Both are to be submitted no later than March 2, 2007.
1. The GPA Verification form will be submitted for you electronically this year, which means you will not have to complete a separate form. However, your Social Security number is needed to do this. If you complete the CAL GRANT INFORMATION RELEASE FORM and turn it into the Counseling Office by Friday, Dec.15, your Cal Grant application will be sent electronically. If you miss this deadline, you must pick up a Cal Grant GPA Verification form and submit it yourself.
2. The FAFSA form cannot be submitted before January 1, 2007
a. You are encouraged to apply on-line for the FAFSA. Right now, you and your
parents can prepare for this by getting a FAFSA PIN.
1.1. Log on to the Internet and go to www.fafsa.ed.gov . Then click on the
"Getting Started" button and follow the prompts.
2.2. To file a FAFSA online, students need a PIN and parents or guardians
need a PIN too. So get a PIN for you and your parents or guardians
NOW!! This is your electronic signature for you and your parents/guardians.
C. "FAFSA on the Web"
1. Applying online with "FAFSA on the Web" at www.fafsa.ed.gov is faster and easier
than using a paper FAFSA.
2. It can edit errors; it is much more efficient.
3. BEFORE you apply online, complete the "FAFSA on the Web Worksheet". Having
this completed, makes it easier to fill out the "FAFSA on the Web".
4. The "FAFSA on the Web" cannot be submitted before January 1, 2007.
5. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to complete the "FAFSA on the Web" by March 2,
2007.
D. Once your GPA is submitted electronically, you are eligible for Cal Grant Awards.
1. Cal Grant A Entitlement Award –
a. Must have financial need
b. Must have 3.0 GPA
c. Must file a "FAFSA on the Web" (beginning January 1, 2007 and
no later than March 2, 2007).
d. Must file GPA Verification form. Yours will be submitted electronically for you
if you meet the Dec. 15, 2006 deadline. If not, you must submit the form yourself.
e. This award pays fees at CSU and UC campuses. It also provides
tuition support at private California colleges and universities.
2. Cal Grant B Entitlement Award
a. Must have financial need
b. Must have 2.0 GPA
c. Must file a FAFSA, preferable on line (beginning January 1, 2007 and
no later than March 2, 2007).
Must file GPA Verification form. Yours will be submitted electronically for
you if you meet the Dec. 15, 2006 deadline. If not, you must submit the form yourself.
e. This award provides up to $1551 for books and living expenses for the
for the first year. Beginning with the second year, this award also helps
pay for tuition and fees at public or private 4-year colleges.
3. Cal Grant A, B and C Competitive Awards
a. Students who are not eligible for a Cal Grant A & B Entitlement Award
may compete for a Cal Grant A or B Competitive Award.
b. These awards are similar to Cal Grant A and B Entitlement Awards except
that they are not guaranteed.
c. Cal Grant C Competitive Awards assist students with tuition, fees and training
costs for occupational and vocational programs.
d. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY complete the FAFSA form by March 2, 2007
II. DEADLINE DATES FOR PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED SCHOLARSHIPS AND
AWARDS
A. AXA ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
1. Deadline Date: December 15, 2006.
B. GATES MILLENIUM SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP
1. Deadline Date: January 12, 2007 (Application must be submitted either on-line or
postmarked by this date.)
III. NEW SCHOLARSHIP AND AWARD ANNOUNCEMENTS (More information
and the applications regarding these scholarships are available in the Counseling Office.)
A. METRO PCS COMMUNITY SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP
1. Eight $1000 scholarships will be awarded.
2. Eligibility:
a. Must plan to enroll full-time at a 2 or 4 year college or university.
b. The primary criteria used to select scholarship recipients are demonstrated
involvement in volunteerism with community organizations and participation in
activities that give back to the community.
c. Financial need is not considered.
d. More details are available at www.metropcs.com/scholarship where you can download
application.
3. DEADLINE DATE: Application with official transcript must be postmarked by
December 11, 2006.
B. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS
1. Eligibility:
a. Must be a high school senior.
b. Must have involvement in one or more community service activities.
c. Must provide a written profile describing your community service activity or
activities.
2. DEADLINE DATE: December 15, 2006. Return to the OHS Counseling Office.
C. 2007 SAM WALTON COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP
1. A $1000 scholarship is offered.
2. Eligibility:
a. Must be a graduating high school senior.
b. May not be a Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club Associate or be the child or legal dependent of
a Wal-Mart or Sam’s Club Associate.
3. Online application only:
a. www.walmartfoundation.org – information regarding students eligibility and
application requirements.
b. The access code (swcs) must be used to access this application process.
4. DEADLINE DATE: January 12, 2007.
D. DON AND ROY SPLAWN CHARITABLE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP WEST
(SPLAWN SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM)
1. The Splawn Foundation has gifted over $1 million to selected high school students in
Northern California, with scholarship grants up to $1000.
2. Eligibility:
a. This scholarship is not focused primarily on academic achievement, but rather the
personal challenges the student has faced to rise above and excel at school and in
his/her community.
b. The students will be selected based on financial need, academic qualifications,
dedication to their school, community and family, and extraordinary circumstances.
c. Applications must be submitted online. Students must complete an eligibility quiz in
order to apply. Website: www.fsrequests.com/splawnhs
3. DEADLINE DATE: February 2, 2007 at 6:00 PM (Pacific Standard Time).
E. OROVILLE OPTIMIST CLUB ESSAY CONTEST
1. Two (2) First Place Winners will be selected – one male and one female. Each will
receive a scholarship award of $300.
2. A Second Place Winner will also be chosen and receive a $200 award.
3. Eligibility:
a. Open to any student who will be under age 19 as of December 31 of the 2006-2007 school
year.
4. Topic of the essay is "I want to make a difference because . . . " The essay must be between
400 and 500 words.
5. DEADLINE DATE: February 16, 2006. Applications to be returned to the OHS
Counseling Office.
F. USA FUNDS ACCESS TO EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
1. USA Funds will award up to $3.2 million in new renewable scholarships to students
demonstrating financial need.
2. Eligibility:
a. For students from households with annual incomes of $35,000 or less.
b. Priority consideration given to students who are members of an ethnic minority group
or have a documented physical disability.
3. Must apply online at www.usafunds.org/scholarship between December 15, 2006 and
February 15, 2007.
4. DEADLINE DATE: February 15, 2007 – online application.
G. U.S. BANK INTERNET SCHOLARSHIP
1. Thirty (30) $1000 scholarships will be awarded in a random drawing.
2. Eligibility:
a. Must plan to attend a two or four-year college full time Fall, 2006.
b. Recipients are selected through a random drawing process.
c. No essays and no minimum GPA required.
d. You must apply on-line at www.usbank.com/studentbanking .
3. DEADLINE DATE: February 28, 2007
H. ORDER OF SONS OF ITALY IN AMERICA GRAND LODGE OF CALIFORNIA
AND SONS OF ITALY WESTERN FOUNDATION 2007 SCHOLARSHIP
1. Scholarships are available in 3 categories: Academic, Athletic and Italian Language Study
Grants in Italy for the Summer, 2007
.2. Eligibility:
a. Must be wholly or partially of Italian descent.
b. Must be enrolled in an accredited College, University or Community College for
Fall, 2007.
c. Applications applying for the Athletic Scholarship must be pursuing a career in
sports or other sports related profession.
d. Paper applications are available or you can apply online at www.sonsofitalyca.org
3. DEADLINE DATE: March 1, 2007 (Postmark Deadline).
I. ITALIAN CATHOLIC FEDERATION SCHOLARSHIP
1. Scholarships of $400 are being offered to Catholic graduating seniors of Italian descent.
2. Eligibility:
a. Must be of the Catholic faith.
b. Must be of Italian descent.
c. Must have at least a 3.2 GPA.
3. DEADLINE DATE: March 15, 2007 (Must be received by this date. This is not a
postmark deadline.
A. Financial Aid Forms are due March 2, 2007
1. Whether you are going to a 4-year college or university, or a two-year community college or a trade or vocational school, it is to your advantage to complete these forms.
2. FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is to be submitted online between January 1,
2006 and March 2, 2006.
3. GPA Verification deadline is March 2, 2007
a. This form will be submitted electronically for you if you meet the December 12
deadline in the Counseling Office.
b. If you miss this deadline, you must pick up a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form and
submit it yourself.
V. FINANCIAL AID PARENT/GUARDIAN/STUDENT INFORMATION NIGHT
A. Financial Aid Information Night will be held Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at 6:30 PM. in E-4.
B. All seniors and their parents/guardians are encouraged to attend.
VI. LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
A. Applications will be available during Spring semester.
B. Applying is the student’s responsibility.
VII. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
A. College applications and scholarships may require letters of recommendation.
1. You should give the person you are asking to write a letter of recommendation for you
at least a two week notice.
B. It is suggested you use the "Student Fact Sheet" to give to the person you want to write a
letter for you.
C. The "Student Fact Sheet" is available in the Counseling Office.
Spring Semester classes begin the week of January 22, 2007.
Seniors may take one or two classes to make up failed courses.
Beginning Monday, January 8, 2007, students may begin registering at Adult Night School.
See your counselor for a permission slip to attend.
CASH FOR COLLEGE WORKSHOP
1. Saturday, February 3, 2007, 2:30 – 4:30 PM, Las Plumas High School Library Computer Lab.
2. To help seniors and their parents/guardians complete the FAFSA for Financial Aid.